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What is it about certain surfactants – the key cleaning chemicals in detergents – that make them so attracted to water and fats? Scientists Charles E. Hammond and Edgar Acosta’s research into this complex topic was recognized as the best paper published in 2012 in the Journal of Surfactants & Detergents. The Distinguished Paper Award is an annual honor presented by the American Cleaning Institute® (ACI) at the Annual Meeting of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS).

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Research that shows how glycerine and other byproducts from biodiesel production can be converted to catalysts for greener industrial processes is being honored with the 2013 Glycerine Innovation Award. The yearly honor is sponsored by the American Cleaning Institute® (ACI) and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and is presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS).

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They’re not afraid of germs in Litchfield, Minnesota – they now know just to ‘wash them away.’ Three local high school students created a multi-media hygiene education campaign and received national honors from the Healthy Schools, Healthy People: It’s a SNAP Program. SNAP – the School Network for Absenteeism Prevention – is a joint initiative of the American Cleaning Institute and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI) and the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) have launched “Warm Hands, Warm Hearts,” an effort to gather gloves, mittens and hand soap for those affected by Superstorm Sandy.

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During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, consumers are busy shopping, baking and decorating – but we still need to find the time to care for our clothes. The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI) is hosting a free webinar Wednesday, December 5 at 1:00 PM ET to share practical information about laundry products, practices and better living.

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An Extension Agent’s “cleaning party” to demonstrate the importance of a clean, healthy home is the recipient of the American Cleaning Institute’s (ACI) 2012 Clean and Healthy Families & Communities National Award.

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California’s proposed Safer Consumer Product regulations are unclear, would cause confusion in the marketplace, place heavy burdens on business and provide little benefit to consumers, says the American Cleaning Institute (ACI – www.cleaninginstitute.org). In comments to the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), ACI said that the agency’s latest attempt to enforce a green chemistry law is vague and leaves “many critical details” for future rulemaking.

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Researchers exploring the relationship between asthma and exposure to consumer products and product ingredients say the database of current studies is not sufficiently robust to demonstrate a causal relationship between product exposures and new-onset asthma. These are some of the findings from a report summarizing discussions at the Asthma Science Forum, a 2011 gathering sponsored by a group of industry trade associations. The report is available online at www.cleaninginstitute.org.

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Researchers honored by the American Cleaning Institute® (ACI) have identified a group of surfactants that are highly effective in acid cleaning formulations in preventing the corrosion of steel surfaces.

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With cases of intentional misuse of alcohol-based hand sanitizers being widely reported, the American Cleaning Institute offered reminders that the products provide key benefits when properly used. “Intentional misuse of hand sanitizers should not discourage the use of a product that contributes daily to public health,” said Nancy Bock, ACI Senior Vice President of Education. “Simply put, hand sanitizers are safe when used as directed.”

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When millions of Americans do the laundry every week, one in ten forgets to take an important safety step – closing that container of detergent after use. As 2012 commemorates the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week (March 18-22), the American Cleaning Institute® reminds consumers about safe laundry practices.

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Spring cleaning is still a tradition for many Americans – 62 percent of those surveyed say spring cleaning is an annual ritual in their home. According to new research from the American Cleaning Institute® 73 percent of those who spring clean strongly or somewhat agree that it’s a tradition worth keeping. But 13 percent of this group (18% of men, 8% of women) strongly or somewhat agree that if it wasn’t for spring cleaning, they would probably never clean their home!

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The American Cleaning Institute expressed disappointment with research which wrongly raises unfounded safety concerns over cleaning products and ignores enhanced efforts to communicate with consumers about product ingredients. ACI said that the paper – co-written by the interest group Silent Spring Institute in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives – distorts the established safety of ingredients used in cleaning products by inappropriately equating their detection with health issues.

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Handwashing with antibacterial soap produces statistically greater reductions in bacteria on the skin when compared to using non-antibacterial soap. Those are the findings of a review of two dozen relevant published studies – analyzing the effectiveness of antibacterial soaps – featured in the November 2011 edition of the peer-reviewed Journal of Food Protection.

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Newly published research reaffirms that the use of antibacterial wash products in the home environment does not contribute to antibiotic or antibacterial resistance, confirming previous research that showcased similar findings.

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The American Cleaning Institute is offering a free, one-hour webinar to educators and health professionals interested in the latest information on raising awareness about handwashing. The event takes place Monday October 3, 2011 at 6:30 PM Eastern Time.

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Executives from across the cleaning product supply chain worldwide can now plan for the industry’s major business forum, the 2012 American Cleaning Institute (ACI) Annual Meeting & Industry Convention. The meeting takes place January 29-February 4, 2012 at the Grande Lakes Orlando in Orlando, Florida.

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Groups representing laundry product and fragrance manufacturers sharply rebutted seriously flawed statements regarding fragrances in laundry products based on a study that fails to meet the basic principles of scientific investigation.

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Two Minnesota seventh-graders who created an elementary school lesson plan on good hand hygiene practices received a national award and $5,000 for their school to support local hygiene education efforts.

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Whether it’s Earth Day or laundry day, consumers can take simple steps to save energy and conserve water while getting their clothes cleaner than ever, according to the American Cleaning Institute®. ACI offers earth-friendly information for consumers as they prepare to do the laundry.

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The first-ever sustainability report for the U.S. cleaning products industry – released by the American Cleaning Institute® - showcases aggregated environmental metrics data from producers and suppliers of cleaning products and snapshots of the industry’s social and environmental sustainability programs and activities.

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Custodians from five schools across America are being honored with the third annual C.L.E.A.N. Awards, which recognize the contributions that they make to public health in their schools, communities, and their profession.

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When it comes to the safety of make-your-own cleaning products, you’re on your own. National Poison Prevention Week (March 20-26, 2011) serves as an important reminder that keeping the home safe for children and pets is a year-round responsibility, according to the American Cleaning Institute® (ACI).

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According to new research from the American Cleaning Institute®, 82 percent of Generation Y men and women (our nation’s 18-29 year olds) will engage in spring cleaning this year – that’s approximately 15 percent more than the national average of about two-thirds.

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The American Cleaning Institute is offering a free webinar January 13, 2011 to outline a new web-based tool to help forecast chemical concentrations in U.S. waterways.

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Research claiming that young people are “overexposed” to antibacterial soap doesn’t reflect real-world usage of a proven, beneficial product used safely and effectively on a daily basis, according to the American Cleaning Institute.

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The American Cleaning Institute is offering free informational materials on hand hygiene for parents, educators and health professionals during International Clean Hands Week (September 19-25, 2010) at www.cleaninginstitute.org.

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Mom’s advice about cleaning your hands may finally be starting to get through. In the latest observational study sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology and the American Cleaning Institute, 85% of adults washed their hands in public restrooms, compared with 77% in 2007. The 85% total was actually the highest observed since these studies began in 1996.

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The American Cleaning Institute℠ (ACI) is the new name of the former Soap and Detergent Association (SDA). The Institute introduced a video on its new website, www.CleaningInstitute.org, to visually showcase what ACI and its members are committed to: Better Living.

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A team of researchers from Cornell University and International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) received The Soap and Detergent Association Best Paper Award for the most outstanding research article published in 2009 in the Journal of Surfactants & Detergents. The award was presented during the Annual Meeting & Expo of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS).

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School custodians are devising some creative ways to help keep our schools clean and safe. The 2010 C.L.E.A.N.® Awards program is recognizing five dedicated professionals from across the country who are "cleaning for health - not just appearance."

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Eighty-eight percent of Americans say the cleaning products they buy are safe when used as directed, according a survey commissioned by The Soap and Detergent Association, which provides safety reminders for National Poison Prevention Week (March 14-20).

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Goodbye, SDA. Hello, ACI. The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) announced that it will become the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) in June 2010, coinciding with a major redesign and launch of its website, www.cleaning101.com.

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The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) unveils Ingredient Central, an online gateway to where consumers can find specific cleaning product companies' ingredient information. The page is available at www.cleaning101.com/IngredientCentral.

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Three New Jersey students hit the science lab for a project to help spread messages on the importance of hand hygiene. Their work has been honored by the Healthy Schools, Healthy People: It’s a SNAP Program, a joint initiative of The Soap and Detergent Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA – www.cleaning101.com) is hosting a webinar at no cost on September 24, 2009 to help community leaders prepare for cold and flu season.

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The "characteristic curvature" is not a new fashion trend or some fantastic new superhero. But in the world of soap and detergent research, it can help tell you how much a surfactant hates or loves water. Three University of Toronto scientists behind this research were honored with the 2008 Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) Distinguished Paper Award, which recognizes the most outstanding article published in the Journal of Surfactants and Detergents.

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With heightened concerns over the swine flu outbreak, The Soap and Detergent Association is reminding families that disease prevention is in their hands "“ literally. SDA offers three quick tips for parents to help keep their kids healthy in school.

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More than 1,500 women battling cancer know what "Cleaning for a Reason" is all about "“ helping to keep their homes clean when their immune systems are under attack.

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More than two-thirds of Americans still plan on spring cleaning. But according to a new survey from The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA "“www.cleaning101.com), the economic downturn is having an effect on their household cleaning habits and purchases.

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The critical role that custodians play in improving school health through cleaning is now in the spotlight. Custodians from five schools across the country are being recognized with the first-ever National C.L.E.A.N. Award, from The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA "“ www.cleaning101.com), the National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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A new survey from The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA "“ www.cleaning101.com) reveals that 28 percent of Americans say they have mixed their own cleaning product at home. SDA says that consumers should think twice and keep safety considerations in mind before they create their home-made concoctions.

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SDAScience, available at SDAScience.org, is a new online resource that provides scientific and technical information on the safety and benefits of cleaning products and their ingredients. The Soap and Detergent Association resource will be regularly updated throughout the year.

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Scientists from Novozymes and two Swedish research institutions have been honored with The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) Distinguished Paper Award, recognizing the best 2007 research article that appeared in the Journal of Surfactants and Detergents.

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Glycerine-derived, eco-friendly biosurfactants and polymers "“ produced from renewable resources and quickly biodegradable "“ are getting their moment in the sun. Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), who helped develop these new bioproducts, are the recipients of the 2008 Glycerine Innovation Award, sponsored by The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) and the National Biodiesel Board.

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Seventy-seven percent of Americans say they regularly engage in spring cleaning, according to The Soap and Detergent Association's (SDA) 2008 Spring Cleaning Survey. That's up from two-thirds in past SDA surveys. Spring cleaners say cleaning behind the furniture and washing windows top their task lists, and they'd pay $100 or give up eating out for a month for someone else to do the dirty work.

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A new book from The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) describes the historic and present-day evidence on how good personal and household hygiene practices are vital contributors to public health. The book, Against Disease: The Impact of Hygiene and Cleanliness on Health, is available for download at no cost at AgainstDisease.com.

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The SDA/CDC national hand hygiene education program, "Healthy Schools, Healthy People: It's a SNAP," have honored students at DeLaura Middle School in Satellite Beach, Florida, with the 2007 Top Classroom Award. DeLaura students created a handwashing education program for their classmates and the local community.

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Extension Service education programs designed to help baby boomers deal with clutter and students address sensitive hygiene issues are the winners of the 2007 Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) "Clean Homes...Safe and Healthy Families" Program Award of Excellence.

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A diverse group of organizations is elevating nationwide awareness of the steps that communities can take to combat the spread of staph infections. The National Education Association (NEA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) are speaking out on the importance of proper and effective personal hygiene and surface cleaning practices.